Research suggests that conservatives are, on average, more susceptible to fear than those who identify themselves as liberals. Looking at MRIs of a large sample of young adults last year, researchers at University College London discovered that “greater conservatism was associated with increased volume of the right amygdala” ($$). The amygdala is an ancient brain structure that’s activated during states of fear and anxiety. (The researchers also found that “greater liberalism was associated with increased gray matter volume in the anterior cingulate cortex” – a region in the brain that is believed to help people manage complexity.)

I doubt this has anything to do with conservatism/liberalism I suspect there are other factors like enviroment/life experience that play more into whether a person is conservative or liberal. This is probably more of an association again due to other forces that coincides with the "findings"

Research suggests that conservatives are, on average, more susceptible to fear than those who identify themselves as liberals. Looking at MRIs of a large sample of young adults last year, researchers at University College London discovered that “greater conservatism was associated with increased volume of the right amygdala” ($$). The amygdala is an ancient brain structure that’s activated during states of fear and anxiety. (The researchers also found that “greater liberalism was associated with increased gray matter volume in the anterior cingulate cortex” – a region in the brain that is believed to help people manage complexity.)

Without having seen or heard of the research, ...I wouldn't entirely discount it's conclusions.

When you look at the issues that rile up & activate the conservative base, it's quite plausible they respond to and are motivated by fear, as well as appear to lack the capacity to even consider complexity, much less understand it.

Research suggests that conservatives are, on average, more susceptible to fear than those who identify themselves as liberals. Looking at MRIs of a large sample of young adults last year, researchers at University College London discovered that “greater conservatism was associated with increased volume of the right amygdala” ($$). The amygdala is an ancient brain structure that’s activated during states of fear and anxiety. (The researchers also found that “greater liberalism was associated with increased gray matter volume in the anterior cingulate cortex” – a region in the brain that is believed to help people manage complexity.)

It;s an imaging study you nitwit, how the hell could that be propagandha. If the number of subjects was high and the power of the study good, the conclusions have merit. However, I think in this case conservative and liberal are too broad to draw sound conclusions.

Please.. There was also a " study " years ago that said liberalism was linked to "mental disorder"... Anyone buying into a study about politics and mental capacity just proved their merit.. On both sides

Please.. There was also a " study " years ago that said liberalism was linked to "mental disorder"... Anyone buying into a study about politics and mental capacity just proved their merit.. On both sides

Please.. There was also a " study " years ago that said liberalism was linked to "mental disorder"... Anyone buying into a study about politics and mental capacity just proved their merit.. On both sides

I disagree, political views and brain chemistry/structural/functionality has merit. I would predict that the right have more amygdala activation while cortical activity is linked to more liberal viewpoints. They aren't reciting bills but fundamental viewpoints that are very pervasive, hence the two party system.

I disagree, political views and brain chemistry/structural/functionality has merit. I would predict that the right have more amygdala activation while cortical activity is linked to more liberal viewpoints. They aren't reciting bills but fundamental viewpoints that are very pervasive, hence the two party system.

The more interesting question is whether the brain differences are a product of nature or nurture.

I disagree, political views and brain chemistry/structural/functionality has merit. I would predict that the right have more amygdala activation while cortical activity is linked to more liberal viewpoints. They aren't reciting bills but fundamental viewpoints that are very pervasive, hence the two party system.

There's no merit. Hell you couldn't even define 'fundamental views'. How many times is Romney accused of not being a 'true' republican? How often is Obama associated with socialism?

Whatever issue you pick, it's not as simple as a clear dividing line. Not to mention the inherent bias of the people judging where a certain political view falls.

There are fundamental views that each party posits. Small government, low taxes etc for the right, social/progressive movements, shared responsibility the left.

I would say it is difficult but there is a clear right and left grouping and the ideas in each group are often diametrically opposed.

You know what I find funny is that ppls bias comes out even when they dont try. Im not throwing you under the bus everyone does it myself included but I just find it funny.

You say the left is for shared responsibility like the right is against it. The right is very much for helping others and taking care of community. They just dont like the govt telling them who should be looked after and what their money should go to...

Left and right are essentially the same at the end of the day outside of a very small amount of issues. The difference is the right believes the individual should be the decision maker and the left believes the govt should be.

I guess it's akin to the white guy driving through the black neighborhood and automatically locking their car doors.

I dunno...

To be honest, I guess if you live out in the middle of nowhere and you never have to deal with people, you will be more afraid that people in general, will do something shitty to you.

It's just lack of human interaction.

I got a friend of mine who lives in what may be the least crime area of the city and he is always afraid that his SUV is going to get stolen, even though there is virtually no crime in his area at all.

I guess it's akin to the white guy driving through the black neighborhood and automatically locking their car doors.

I dunno...

To be honest, I guess if you live out in the middle of nowhere and you never have to deal with people, you will be more afraid that people in general, will do something shitty to you.

It's just lack of human interaction.

I got a friend of mine who lives in what may be the least crime area of the city and he is always afraid that his SUV is going to get stolen, even though there is virtually no crime in his area at all.

In part I think it's how the media portrays violence. The media makes it seem like you are more likely to be a victim of violence as you actually are.